Letters to the Editor

Aug. 26

Room For Digging
As a collector, dealer and artist, I would like to respond to “Stealing The Past". The archeologists interviewed believe that all artifacts in the “hundreds of thousands of archaeological sites” in New Mexico are “the scientific record” and belong only to persons certified as archeologists. They belittle the interests of passionate collectors who are interested in artifacts as art objects to be enjoyed for their considerable aesthetic value and of non-certified amateurs such as Forrest Fenn who love these same cultural materials, but do not view them with the academic’s perspective.

This demonizing of amateur archeologists and art collectors does a disservice to the passion, knowledge and vision of these non-archaeologist enthusiasts, and insults the very considerable role these people have played in the past—and continue to play now—in supporting the work of archaeologists and museums. Much of the material housed in our museums was accumulated by passionate amateurs, who spent many years, much money, and invested their time and resources in private collections, which were subsequently donated to museums. Further, we should not forget that many of the collections in our major institutions were dug from burial sites by government archeologists without permission from Native Americans.

We all can agree that sacred burial sites should not be excavated for their artifacts and that sites on federal lands should be protected so scientific analyses can be performed that allow us to learn more about the history of our state. However, there remains plenty of room for the legitimate perspectives of art collectors and other passionate amateurs to work as allies in preserving and understanding the rich cultural heritage in our New Mexico soils.Steve Elmore
Santa Fe

Distractions
I, too, was a recipient of one of those emails with the subject heading: Fantastic New Santa Fe Specialty Retail & Entertainment Complex Under Consideration, as described in last week’s Zane’s World. At first it hit me as well that this was a little too development crazy—eco-conscious or not—especially in our ongoing economic climate. But the name Baca Junction and all it described caught my fancy. After reading its proposal for a new bowling alley (now absent in Santa Fe), what would be our town’s only miniature golf course, nature reserve elements, gold mining and dinosaur digs for the kids and an amphitheater and more right off Cerrillos Road next to the Baca Railyard area, it really stirred my imagination. I asked several people if they thought that considerably more people would patronize, say, a bowling alley on this open acreage with hundreds of aboveground, free parking spaces than the one that has been proposed in the past for the Railyard’s Market Station (with belowground pay-to-park). All of them concurred that by far it would. I agree and see this as a great vision for bustling community togetherness and wholesome activity for adults and youth alike.Robert Edwards
Santa Fe

I represent…
I represent the Church of Satan.

Alas, I do not represent the people of Tenochca, so I regret being unable to speak for them. It is, however, good to know that suicide and self-mutilation are religiously frowned upon in the Aztec culture. Learning something new each day really is what it is all about, isn’t it?

Well, we are deeply gladdened to know Mark Reyes won’t be taking his gender dimorphism show on the Satanic road alone. You know we’ve come to the end of an eon when being either a Satanist or an Aztec alone just isn’t peculiar enough, wouldn’t you say? I mean, really, pretty soon everyone will start hyphenating alternative religions and the next thing you know there will be Burger-Vegans and Celibate-Polygamists. (Oh, wait! Aren’t those Mormon women over 15?)

Anyway, thanks for allowing “Satanism” to illicit a Google News hit for the day, keeps me off the streets.
Magistra Ygraine MitchellChurch of Satan
Orlando, Fla.

Parking Pains
As a regular visitor to the Farmers Market, I find the parking situation abysmal like many others. I did not think charging for parking to pay off the bonds for the Railyard purchase was a viable revenue-raising strategy. But paying for parking has become a necessity since curbside parking rules are so stringent, ie in front of SITE Santa Fe where many people miss the “No Parking Anytime” sign (me once). And now you need a residential parking permit on Alarid Street just south of Paseo de Peralta ($32 ouch! When did this happen? I parked there twice before).

Perhaps there can be better warnings or announcements at the Farmers Market. Kenneth Pin
Santa Fe

“Flaming” Review
After reading Armond White’s review of Julie & Julia, I had to write and ask something I’ve wondered about for some time.

Why do the writers reviewing films for SFR so often seem to be writing merely for venting their spleen? So often it sounds to me like simple “flaming”—snotty content written from a young, reactive and smallish point of view. Here’s a reviewer (White) who clearly did not get the charm and fun of Julie & Julia; well, that’s not a crime. What is, is such statements as “and snobbery explains why Julie & Julia was made at all” and “[t]hat blog gave Julie Powell (Adams) access to fame, and that’s all Ephron understands.” Come on, reviewer, that’s no more than throwing tomatoes because you personally don’t like the act. Where’s the journalistic training and breadth of experience that would mellow this shallow kind of writing?Marsha Winborn
Santa Fe
The Other Market
Regarding “Bull Markets” and all responses to it, I find it disturbing that Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage has been overlooked. Perhaps people somehow remain unaware of its glories, so I’d better speak up. I suggest anyone who really cares about the value and quality of anything we put in or on our bodies please check out this superior market. All its produce is high-quality organic and at very reasonable prices.

I remember when they sold vitamins and supplements from a small house, hence their original name, Vitamin Cottage. They have grown steadily and well over the years into the fine natural market they are today. I am thankful that we have them here in Santa Fe. At Natural Grocers, customer service is actually customer care because they do. Do yourself a favor: Go and see what a treasure they are.Betty Byrd
Santa Fe